Nobel Winners
December 11th, 2009 | Editorial Cartoons | 9 Comments
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This is a bit of a departure for me–an all-digitally created cartoon, but I thought it had more impact this way than if I’d drawn it by hand. Obama’s speech accepting the Nobel Peace Prize was both masterful and mystifying. I sincerely hope that he’s correct that the war he has chosen to take on as his own in Afghanistan is both justified and winnable. I have my doubts on both counts. While there is no question that the Taliban (unlike Saddam Hussein’s Iraq) represent a danger both to us and to the people of the region, the real question is whether continued engagement in Afghanistan will have any meaningful impact. If not, then we risk the lives of our soldiers, not to mention a considerable chunk of our treasury, on another Quixotic adventure, one that makes us no safer.
Topics: Afghanistan, Einstein, Nobel Peace Prize, Obama, peace, war
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by JD Crowe, Ed Stein. Ed Stein said: New blog post: Nobel Winners http://edsteinink.com/2009/12/11/nobel-winners/ [...]
Hi Ed,
I don’t believe in a ‘justified’ war. About winning the war, it depends how you interpret ‘winning’. Can someone really win a war? Its quite rare that a conflict is resolved with violence. Not that I have a better idea…so I share your concern.
The more politics as usual continues to prevail with the current administration, “Yes we can” will likely one day be cast aside into the bin of forgettable quotes and slogans in political history. It will be found right next to “Mission Accomplished.”
I like the Einstein quote, but I think he was wrong. You can prevent war by preparing for war if it convinces the other side that they shouldn’t mess with you and you are preparing for war solely to protect yourself. I think that what Einstein was trying to say is that it takes a different mindset to prevent war than it does to prepare for war. Both mindsets have their place and I am grateful for the diplomats who try their best to prevent wars and for the military who do their best to be good enough that the diplomats job becomes easier.
Brilliant “‘toon”, there, Ed!
-Rusty
Hi Ed,
As always excellent, thoughtful stuff. As I’m sure you’re well aware, however, Iran is not and was never ruled by Saddam Hussein, though Iraq was. I mention this only since some of use from the former get touchy about the matter.
Dear Ed,
I’ve heard some stuff recently that has made me think again about Afghanistan, like that the Americans are putting lots more effort into ‘nation-building’, making populated areas safer so that kids can go to the school, and the like.
One thing you say which I’m not sure about is: “While there is no question that the Taliban (unlike Saddam Hussein’s Iraq) represent a danger both to us and to the people of the region”…
I would agree that the Taliban are a danger to the region, but my question is: how are they a danger to us?
I have heard the opinion that the best way of dealing with them is to try and get them involved in the political process.
Who knows. I am certainly not an expert.
Wow! That’s a well-deserved kick to the balls. And, shame on the Noballs Pea$ Pri$e commission for nominating this warmonger in the first place.
It is definitely a propos.